Posted by yxibow on October 4, 2005, at 0:03:20
In reply to Tolerance of benzodiazepines, posted by sdb on October 1, 2005, at 5:51:45
> Does somebody has personal experience/or knowledge from studies about:
>
> Tolerance of common bz's like Valium, Tranxene... transform in nordiazepam/nordazepam active metabolites (usage over 6 months)
>
> related to bz's with different molecule structure like
>
> Klonopin, Xanax...
>
> According to studies Klonopin should be safe for at least 6 months, other bz's metabolizing in nordiazepam should also be remain efficacy for at least 6 months. I have never seen studies, which prove no tolerance over 6 months.
>
> In the p-forum tolerance symptoms seem to be very variable from person to person.
>
> After doing some research, bz's similar to Valium -> nordiazepam should be at least develop tolerance symptoms.
>
> kind regards
>
> sdb
I owe some of my sanity to benzodiazepines -- the creator of them just recently died at 95. But that's a side comment, I thought I'd just add that as an interesting note. He did it as a pet project, sort of by accident. The obit is in the LA times. But anyway before I stray....I've taken klonopin at 8mg levels for several years. Yes, I dont feel a "high" from it, but it is a more subtle drug. I'm now 80% complete in a cross taper to Valium to see if it makes any difference in my complex disorder.
Now, to the tolerance... that varies by the benzodiazepine and the person. There are people on low dose Librium and Valium who have taken it since they were invented in 1955 (I forget exactly) and 1960 and have had no problems.
On the other hand, short acting benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Ativan can build up tolerance and the person doesnt eventually feel a "high" or a "kick". They may require more in the future. Its not an exact art. Combining them with other medications can also have repercussions.
In the end, I'd say benzodiazepines are the safest psychiatric drugs that we still have in 2005. But if one is considering a taper or discontinuing one, they should follow a strict schedule of reducing over several weeks. In my opinion, for most people, they can be habituating and tolerance can develop, but I don't put them in the "addictive" class which I would reserve for things like heroin or Oxycontin or Percocet.
My 2c
Hope that helps
poster:yxibow
thread:561516
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051003/msgs/562596.html